Tiruvallur Travel Guide
Tiruvallur was originally known as Tiruvallur which specifies the sleeping position of the holy lord "Balaji", in the Veeraragava temple of Tiruvallur. Later people began to refer it by names such as Trivellore and Tiruvallur. Today Tiruvallur is well known, one of the reason being the Veeraragava Temple. The new moon day is very auspicious day for the lord and so for the people of the town. The district of Tiruvallur has been carved out by bifurcating erstwhile Chengalpattu district (which was renamed as Chengalpattu-MGR/Kancheepuram at the time of 1991 Census). According to the said bifurcation Tiruvallur revenue division which included Tiruvallur, Tiruttani taluks and Uthukkottai and Pallipattu sub-taluks separated from Chengalpattu district along with Ponneri and Gummindipoondi taluks of Saidapet revenue division and formed this new district. At present this district is comprised of eight taluks namely Ambattur, Gummindipoondi, Ponneri, Uthukkottai, Tiruvallur, Poonamallee, Tiruttani and Pallipattu.

In the far past, this region was under a chain of regimes commencing from the Pallavas during the 7th century ending with the Nawab of Arcot during the early part of 19th century when it came under the British rule. In 1687, the Golkonda rulers were defeated and the region came under the Moghul emperors of Delhi. The towns and villages of this region were the scene of Carnatic wars. Battles are said to have been fought in this region during the struggle for supremacy between the English and French. The town of Pulicat was the earliest Dutch possession in India founded in 1609 which was ceded to the British in 1825. With this, the region came under the British rule which ended on the 15th August, 1947 with India becoming independent.

Places of Interest
Ambattur
Ambattur is an industrial Cente and township which is 16 km. to the west of Chennai city and situated in the Chennai - Avadi Trunk Road. It has railway station, bearing the same name on the Chennai - Arakkonam broadgauge line. Frequent bus service, both town and mofussil, help the people in transportation. There is also biggest small scale industrial estate not only in Tiruvallur district but in the whole of South Asia.

Avadi
Avadi is situated at a distance of 24 km. on the road leading to Tirupathi and to the west of Chennai. It is served by a good network of buses which pass through, originating from Chennai. It is also served by the Avadi railway station situated on the Chennai-Arakonam broad gaugeline. It has got an air force station in that area. The headquarters of the Special armed Police of the Tamil Nadu Government.

Pattinathar
One of the 18 Superior saints of Tamilnadu Siddha tradition, who lived in 10th Century AD attained Salvation in a temple in Thiruvottiyur which is 8 Km drive from Chennai.Time : Morning 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Evening 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Poondi
Poondi is a small village, is situated at a distance about 60 km. from Chennai. Frequent buses are available from Chennai and Tiruvallur to reach this place. ‘Poondi’ the name, it is said, is derived from Poondu in Tamil, the shrub which was once abundant in this place.

Pulicat Lake / Bird Sanctuary
A sline shallow water spread formed by the confluence of Backwaters, Pulicat Lake and Buckingham Canal situated on the northern end of Tamilnadu is an ideal picnic spot. A catamaran ride on the shallow water spread and a visit to Bird Sanctuary are two most leisure activities to be undertaken here. A Dutch cementery of 17th centuary is located on shore.

Tiruttani
Tiruttani is one among the six abodes of Lord Muruga. The temple is situated on a hillock and has 365 steps. An important Thirtha called Kumara Thirtha, is under this hill this place is also called as Saravana Poigai. The important festivals are Adi Kirthigai Theppa Thiruvizha, Shiva Rathiri, Shasti Thiruvizha. Adi Kirthigai Theppa Thiruvizha are celebrated in mid of July and August.Opening time of the temple is 5 a.m to 9 p.m.